Research Information

Cord Blood

Cord blood is found within the umbilical cord and placenta separated when a pregnant mother delivers a baby. Cord blood contains a plenty amount of stem cells and is useful for treating different intractable diseases. Stem cells become the foundation of organisms that construct our body; they are a precious biological resource that may restore and regenerate damaged tissues.

Preserving cord blood discarded after childbirth presents opportunities to treat intractable diseases using the stem cells contained in cord blood. Compared to other types of stem cells that can be obtained in other tissues, such as bone marrow, stem cells derived from cord blood are the primitive, freshest and most vigorous. Cord blood shows a 100% match in histocompatibility antigen for babies themselves, with a high match rate across the family including brothers and sisters. Stored cord blood allows a family to prepare for potential intractable diseases in the future.

Roles of cells within cord blood

① Hematopoietic stem cells
Stem cells that produce all blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. An ample amount is contained within cord blood.

② Mesenchymal stem cells
Stem cells are known to produce cartilage, bone and muscle; they also secrete a variety of substances useful for treating various diseases.

③ Immune Cells
Protect themselves from viruses and bacteria, and destroy tumor cells.

Mechanism of Immune System

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